Elizabeth "Betty" Beatrice Meyer

ELIZABETH (BETTY) BEATRICE COPELAND MEYER, 70, of Little Rock, died on March 12, 2011. Mrs. Betty Meyer was born Jan. 7, 1941 in Little Rock. She was the daughter of the late E.W. and Elizabeth Copeland of Little Rock and daughter-in-law of the late Edwin and Vivian Meyer also of Little Rock. She was educated in the Little Rock Public Schools and was a member of the Lost Class of 1959. After one semester at Hendrix, in lieu of a senior year in high school, and one year at Randolph-Macon Woman's College, Betty transferred to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where she earned a degree in history. She obtained her Teacher's Certification from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and did her student teaching at Little Rock Hall High School. Betty married Richard Meyer in 1964. She taught junior high for three years in Ladue, Mo., a suburb of St. Louis, while Richard was in dental school at Washington University. After living in Ft. Bragg, N.C., Erlangen, Germany and St. Louis, Mo., she and Richard came back to Little Rock in 1972 to start an orthodontic practice and raise a family. In addition to working in Richard's offices, she was an extremely active member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church where she was former Chairman of the Board of Stewards, a member of the PHUMC Foundation Board and a former member of the Strategic Planning Committee for the Rev. Nixon Center. She was a long time member of the Fathomers Sunday School Class and member of United Methodist Women. Betty was a former Chairman of the Riverfest Board, Chairman for the 50th high school reunion for the Hall High Lost Class of '59, former Co-Chairman of Little Rock's Komen Race for the Cure, former Co-Chairman of ACRC Cook's Tour, and member of the Arkansas Museum of Discovery Board. She was a member of the Junior League of Little Rock and the Little Rock Pi Beta Phi Alum Club. While her children were growing up, she was a dedicated volunteer in many organizations including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, VIPS (Volunteers in Public Schools) and PTA. She was named 2009 Volunteer of the Year by the Museum of Discovery and in 2010, Betty received a Certificate of Recognition from the Arkansas Section of the Pierre Fauchard Academy for her dedication and contributions to the profession of Dentistry. Although the focus of her volunteer activities changed throughout the years, there was consistency in the rewards and joy she got from the wonderful friends she made and the importance of those friendships. Betty, a dedicated wife, Mom and Grandmommy, is survived by her husband Richard C. Meyer; three children and spouses, Brian and Marcella Meyer of Little Rock, Jeff and Jan Meyer Swindler of Little Rock, and Rob and Alison Meyer Matthias of Gainesville, Fla.; seven grandchildren, Logan and Hartley Meyer of Little Rock, Abby and Aaron Swindler of Little Rock, and Greer, Eliza and Henry Matthias of Gainesville; and her brother and sister-in-law, Ed and Charleen Copeland of Hot Springs. Special thanks go to the staff and volunteers at Arkansas Hospice and to Pearl Thomas and Pat Smith for their devoted care. A visitation will be held at Ruebel Funeral Home on Monday, March 14, 2011 from 5–7. The service to celebrate Betty's life will be at 11 on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. A reception will follow. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church Foundation or the Arkansas Museum of Discovery.